Duncan starts fast, but Spurs trail at half 45-43

Tim Duncan has been extremely productive in the first half, but it hasn’t been enough as the Spurs have fallen into a 45-43 halftime deficit against Memphis Sunday at the AT&T Center for the Spurs.

Zach Randolph’s three-point play boosted the Grizzlies to a 43-36 lead with 2:37 left, but a late 7-2 San Antonio run pulled the Spurs back into the game. Duncan, who missed a shot at the buzzer to tie the game, has scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.

The Spurs have shot only 40 percent from the field, but have dominated the Grizzlies with a 22-19 edge in points in the paint. Memphis led the NBA in points in the paint during the regular season.

After notching five assists on their five baskets, the Spurs have no more assists in the first half.

Tony Parker has struggled through a 2-for-8 shooting effort in the first half as the Spurs are playing without starting Manu Ginobili.

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol have scored 11 points apiece to lead Memphis, which has never won a playoff game in 12 previous games.

Duncan was very active early, contributing two baskets, a rebound and a blocked shot in the first four minutes. It helped spark the Spurs to an early 11-7 lead.

But Memphis remained steady, finishing the first quarter at 58.8 percent as Gasol hit all three shots en route to nine first-quarter points and a 27-22 lead at the break.